Safety behaviors and positive emotions in social anxiety disorder.

The present study examined contextual factors that affect safety behavior use as well as positive emotions when using safety behaviors among individuals with SAD. Eighty-eight participants took part in the study, half (n = 44) met diagnostic criteria for SAD and half (n = 44) did not meet criteria for SAD. Participants completed a 21-day experience sampling methodology (ESM) measurement in which they reported on daily social interactions, safety behavior use, and emotions. Using multilevel linear modeling we found that both individuals with and without SAD used more safety behaviors when interacting with distant others compared to close others, but this effect was greater for individuals with SAD compared to individuals without SAD. We also found that social anxiety significantly moderated the relationship between safety behaviors in social interactions and positive emotions. Specifically, our findings indicated that individuals with higher levels of social anxiety reported lower levels of positive emotions when using safety behaviors. Implications of our findings for models of psychopathology and for treatment of SAD are discussed.

Oren-Yagoda R ，Oren B ，Aderka IM 《-》

Anger in social anxiety disorder.

Oren-Yagoda R ，Werber G ，Aderka IM 《-》

The grass is always greener: Envy in social anxiety disorder.

In the present study we examined envy in social anxiety disorder (SAD) and its potential role in maintaining the disorder. In addition, we examined social contexts and modes of communication that may serve as moderators of envy in SAD, and the temporal relationship between envy and anxiety in the disorder. Our sample included 88 individuals (44 with SAD and 44 without SAD) who underwent an experience sampling procedure in which participants received daily measures of emotions for 21 days. Using multilevel linear modeling we found that individuals with SAD experienced elevated envy compared to individuals without SAD and this was enhanced in social (compared to non-social) contexts. For individuals with SAD, visual modes of communication were associated with elevated envy compared to voice/text communication. Finally, envy predicted subsequent anxiety above and beyond previous anxiety and additional negative emotions. The role of envy in the psychopathology and maintenance of SAD, as well as clinical implications are discussed.

Oren-Yagoda R ，Schwartz M ，Aderka IM 《-》

Pride in social anxiety disorder.

The present study examined differences in the experience of pride between individuals with and without social anxiety disorder (SAD), and is the first to examine both the effects of context on pride and the temporal relationship between pride and anxiety in participants' daily lives. Eighty-eight participants took part in the study, half (n = 44) met diagnostic criteria for SAD and half (n = 44) did not. Both groups completed an experience sampling measurement (ESM) to assess the levels of pride and anxiety and the nature of interpersonal contexts in which these emotions were experienced every day for 21 consecutive days. Using multilevel linear modeling, our findings suggest that pride is diminished among individuals with SAD, that situations percieved as highly neagative and positive, or as highly meaningful and positive are associated with the highest levels of pride, and that the experience of pride is associated with subsequent reductions in anxiety among individuals with SAD. These findings point to the role of pride in the disorder and can be used to inform and enhance therapeutic interventions for SAD.

Oren-Yagoda R ，Paz N ，Aderka IM 《-》

Are people with social anxiety disorder happier alone?

Quality contact with other people serves as a reliable mood enhancement strategy. We wondered if the emotional benefits of socializing are present even for those with a psychological disorder defined by social distress and avoidance: social anxiety disorder (SAD). We conducted two ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies and analyzed 7243 total surveys. In both studies, community adults diagnosed with SAD and healthy controls received five surveys each day for 2 weeks. Consistent with research on positivity deficits in SAD, between-person analyses in both studies suggest that, on average, participants with SAD reported lower positive and higher negative affect in social and non-social situations than healthy controls. Within-person analyses, however, revealed that in both studies participants with SAD and healthy controls reported higher positive affect when with others than when alone; no differences were found for negative affect for those with SAD. The difference in positive affect between social and nonsocial situations was smaller for participants with SAD in Study 1, suggesting that people with SAD may experience diminished reward responding when socializing. Our results suggest that even those with a mental illness defined by interpersonal distress can and do derive positive emotions from social interactions.

Goodman FR ，Rum R ，Silva G ，Kashdan TB ... -  《-》